#Composites

2024-02-29

DORNIER presents new developments of its machines and systems for composite series production at JEC World 2024

The fact that fibre composite components improve sustainability due to their low weight has already been proven in many applications, from cars to aircraft. As increasing demand brings scalable composite production more into focus, the German family-owned company from Lindau on Lake Constance will be presenting new developments for the economical series production of fibre composite components at JEC World 2024 (5 to 7 March in Paris, Hall 6, Stand C 73).

In addition to established applications in the aerospace industry, fibre composite solutions are also playing an increasingly important role in sectors such as construction, energy and automotive. DORNIER has developed the production system PROTOS® (Polymer and Roving to Sheet) to enable companies to economically manufacture fibre composite structures suitable for large-scale production. PROTOS® systems can be used to produce thermoplastic fibre composite components based on unidirectional continuous fibre reinforcements (UD tapes) and organic sheets with very good drapability in high quality.

This is also interesting for companies in the automotive industry. "We want to enable automotive suppliers to produce customised and series-produced fibre composite components on an internationally competitive basis – with the desired geometry, the right mix of fibres and matrix as well as optimal mechanical properties," explains Klingele. In addition to the technology centre at Lake Constance, a tape weaving machine has therefore recently been made available for test runs at the US subsidiary of Lindauer DORNIER for interested parties – also from other industries. It can be used to process binder-fixed, fully impregnated tapes and other tape-shaped materials into semi-finished textile products. "In terms of flexibility and costs, it makes a big difference whether you buy finished sheets and then thermoform them or whether you produce them yourself with PROTOS® exactly as required," confirms Oliver Meier, VP of American DORNIER Corporation. With this new offering, we are acknowledging the great importance of the American market and invite our customers and OEMs to visit us in Charlotte, N.C. to discover this powerful technology for themselves," he adds.

Series production of lightweight components on DORNIER systems

With the production system TRITOS® (Textile Roving into Three-dimensionally Oriented Structure), DORNIER proves that complex 3D fabrics with very good damage tolerance and high dynamic load-bearing capacity can also be reliably manufactured in industrial production areas with high cost pressure. Highly specialised suppliers use TRITOS® systems to produce 3D fabrics with thicknesses of up to 100 mm for high-performance applications. "Economical series production of high-quality, customised composites is becoming increasingly important in many industrial branches," says Josef Klingele, Head of the Composite Systems product line at DORNIER.

DORNIER P2 rapier weaving machine © 2024 DORNIER

News on the P2 rapier weaving machine

Variants of the DORNIER P2 rapier weaving machine which were specially developed for composites will also play a role at JEC World 2024. On the P2 Roving, the global benchmark for production systems for high-quality fabrics made of carbon, glass and aramid fibres, it is possible to produce technical reinforcing fabrics for high-end applications extremely economically thanks to its high insertion capacity and its patented and maintenance-free DORNIER SyncroDrive®. With the new integrated electronically controlled ECW+ cloth winder, high winding qualities can be achieved on a reproducible basis.

The P2 Mono Roving guarantees reliable production from heavy tow to speciality fabrics made from the finest ceramic threads. In combination with the DORNIER Zero Twist Feeder and special Zero Twist technologies for weft insertion, the P2 Mono Roving ZT allows the twist-free insertion of two weft colours at high speed and with a wide variety of patterns. Thanks to its innovative modular design, fibre composite manufacturers can use the P2 Mono Roving ZT to flexibly process a wide range of tape-shaped materials.

Fewer pores, greater impact tolerance: Peter Dornier Foundation Prize 2026 honours material research on fibre-reinforced composite components for aerospace industry

Microscopically small pores that form during manufacture, or barely visible impact damage, can severely impair the load-bearing capacity and service life of fibre-reinforced composite components. Two young researchers have presented groundbreaking work in this field and will both be awarded the 2026 Peter Dornier Foundation Prize: Dr.-Ing. Benedikt Neitzel from the Technical University of Ilmenau for his doctoral thesis on pore minimisation in the RTM process, and Johanna Buschmann, M.Sc., for her master’s thesis, completed at the German Aerospace Centre, on the improved impact tolerance of 3D fabrics compared to 2D laminates.

From carbon to canvas: DORNIER presents flexible and reliable weaving technologies for 3D weaving and dynamic markets at Techtextil

At Techtextil from 21 to 24 April 2026 in Frankfurt am Main (Hall 12.0, Stand D95), Lindauer DORNIER will be showcasing reliable and flexible weaving technologies for ever-changing market requirements. The machine and plant manufacturer will present retrofits for existing machines, the new TRITOS® FLEX 3D weaving technology, intuitive automation concepts and software solutions for data-sovereign networking of the weaving machine fleet.

40 years of the Peter Dornier Foundation: Four decades of non-profit commitment to people, culture and the environment in Lindau, Germany and worldwide

The “Haus Brög zum Engel” hospice, the historic farm “Haug am Brückele” and numerous other projects: for over 40 years, the Peter Dornier Foundation has been supporting social and cultural life in Lindau and beyond. The company-related foundation can look back on more than 500 projects it has supported in Germany and worldwide. It was founded in 1985 by Peter Dornier, founder and long-time Managing Director of the international machine and plant manufacturer Lindauer DORNIER, whose profits go into the foundation at a rate of ten percent annually via a holding company. In the future, the foundation intends to expand its commitment in an even more targeted way.

JEC Forum Southeast Asia 2026 highlights Taiwan as a strategic hub for the global composites industry

The third edition of JEC Forum organized in Southeast Asia brought together 350+ participants from 22 countries for three active days of high-level Business Meetings, conferences, and networking, emphasizing Southeast Asia’s growing role in the global composites market. Held for the first time in Taipei from 23 to 24 June 2026, following the successful first editions in Bangkok, JEC Forum Southeast Asia 2026 confirmed its position as the region’s leading business platform dedicated to the composites industry.

MEL Composites supports ELA Aviation with advanced composite materials

MEL Composites is supplying advanced composite materials and process consumables to ELA Aviation for the production of its next-generation gyroplanes. The collaboration underlines MEL Composites’ growing role in advanced aerospace mobility, providing lightweight materials designed to improve aircraft performance, manufacturing efficiency and structural reliability.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.